How To Install UMAX Astra 6850 Scanner on Windows 7

This scanner was probably popular in the late 90’ or in the beginning of 2000. I’m not sure though since the manufacturer’s website isn’t available any longer. This product is already outdated and the office was going to put it on its “dump” list.

The reason was quite simple, there’s no driver available for Windows 7. The latest supported OS is Windows XP.

Umax Astra 6850

Even so, this Umax 6850 scanner is still usable. With some tricks, we can make it work with Windows 7. First of all you need to download driver for winXP from this link, then follow this steps.

1. Right click on the file, then click on properties.
2. Go to Compatibility tab.
3. Give a tick on “Run this program in compatibility mode for” check box.
4. Choose the latest version of Windows XP available from the drop down list.
   
5. Click OK
6. Run the file and install the driver by double clicking it. Wait until the installation is completed.
7. Do not restart the computer even if it asks you to restart (choose restart later).
8. Now Start Windows Explorer and go to C:\Windows\twain_32\6850

   

   Hotkey.exe file location

9. Right Click on Hotkey.exe, then click Properties.
10. Repeat step 2 to 4 for this file.
11. If your computer has more than 1 user, then you should click “Change setting for all user”, do the same step (3 to 5) for compatibility mode for other users then click OK.
12. Skip step 11 if there’s only one user created on the computer. Click OK.
13. Restart your computer.
14. The scanner utility should now appear on the right side of the task bar.

    

    Hotkey.exe tray icon

15. Use it by double clicking it. The scanner utility software will appear.

    

    Hotkey.exe scanner utility